October 2026 – Hotel Poster

October’s Object of the Month is a poster that is on display in our new gallery – Go Great Western.  This poster advertises the GWR’s flagship hotel at Paddington Station in London.

The Great Western Royal Hotel opened on Praed Street in 1854.  It was the height of luxury for the time and rivaled many of the top hotels in the city.  It was designed by architect Philip Charles Hardwick, drawing on Gothic and Renaissance styles of architecture.  In the 1930s the hotel underwent several changes, spearheaded by the company’s own architect, Percy Culverhouse.  Our poster dates from the mid 1930s and advertises these refurbishment features.

Sketch of the new lounge, taken from the April 1934 GWR Magazine.

Featured on the poster is a photograph of the new lounge at the hotel.  This was a newly built lounge.  It was an impressive 84 feet long, 34 feet long and 16 feet from floor to ceiling.  The design was of classic art deco style, with bolds lines, luxurious mirrors and colourful walls.  Settees and armchairs sat alongside walnut inlaid tables.  It must have been quite a sight!

Sketch of the new entrance to the hotel from the station, taken from the April 1934 GWR Magazine.

 As part of the refurbishments a new grill room was added to the hotel.  According to our poster this was open to non-residents.  Travellers arriving at, or leaving from Paddington Station, were able to experience a little piece of glamour before their onward journey.  The April 1934 GWR magazine describes the grill room as being panelled in walnut, with pilasters of green Tinos marble and brass bases.

Why not explore the GWR’s venture into hotels in our new gallery – Go Great Western – now open as part of your visit to STEAM.